WORKERS employed by Cleveland Bridge on the new Wembley Stadium project are threatening to strike to save their jobs.

It emerged last night that union officials were trying to dissuade the workforce of almost 250 from beginning unofficial action, possibly as soon as tomorrow.

The workers have been given redundancy notices by Darlington company Cleveland Bridge, which is quitting work at the Wembley site amid reports of a row with the stadium's main contractor, Multiplex.

An agreement has so far failed to be reached to transfer affected staff to Cleveland Bridge's replacement, Dutch company Hollandia.

Last night, GMB national officer Neil Moore said: "If they do not get answers by Thursday, they will walk and set up a picket line.

"Their feeling is that the companies are trying to play one off against each other, and they may be the losers."

The sticking point in the talks would appear to be whether a complete Trade Union and Protection of Employment transfer will take place, which would protect the workers' terms and conditions.

It would also mean that any subsequent redundancy payments would take into account their length of service with Cleveland Bridge.

Cleveland Bridge, which built and recently installed the stadium's Triumphant Arch, is due to withdraw from on-site project work on July 27.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Bridge said the company was still hoping that a satisfactory agreement could be reached over the workers' futures.

She could not say whether a compensation package was being made available for staff should the transfer not take place.

Multiplex spokesman Dave Wilson said: "The end decision has to be between the two firms involved in any transfer -Cleveland Bridge UK and Hollandia.

"Whatever happens, we have entered into a contractual arrangement with Hollandia and we are absolutely confident in their ability to deliver."